YEREVAN/IFRANE, Morocco — My research of history of Armenians in Africa led to finding interesting compatriots from various African states. One of them is Dr. Jack Vahram Kalpakian, an associate professor of International Studies at School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco. Born in Sudan and a naturalized United States citizen, Kalpakian completed his undergraduate degree at Santa Clara University in California. He holds a doctorate in international studies from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va. He specializes in security studies, international political economy and the Middle East/North Africa region. Kalpakian is the author of academic papers in English and Arabic, covering the issues of terrorism, international security, international political economy, water issues, North Africa, Middle East, and East Africa.
Jack, let’s first discuss some issues related to your profession. How advanced is international studies as an academic field in Morocco and does it have any impact on politics?
International relations is traditionally taught here as a branch of law, not necessarily a social science. It has been a branch of law, and the approach was very French, but Akhawayn University in Ifrane strove to offer International relations as a social science in order to expand the number of people who are engaged in international affairs in the country. The aim of the discipline is not political but rather oriented towards internationalization.
With the UN’s establishment, humankind was thinking that its dream of global security will become reality. Yet many wars followed, and now the international situation is far from being secure, especially in our region. Does mankind need another approach to avoid new big wars and finally reach international security?
The threats of disease, famine, climate change and extremism are not to be trifled with. The fundamental obstacle to solutions is that the US, China, and Russia tend to view each other’s existence as a problem. It is very difficult for the likes of Victoria Nuland, her husband and her ultimate boss, Biden, to wrap their head around the idea that they have bigger problems than Putin.
Two years ago, I read Tigran Yegavian’s interesting analytical research, Minorities of Orient, where the author shows the uncertain future of non-Muslim population of Middle East. How is the situation in the countries of Maghreb?
